No Longer Walk as the Unbelievers Walk

Proverbs 3:23 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
²³ Then you will walk on your way securely,
    and your foot will not stumble.[1]

Then you will walk on your way securely: The Hebrew adverb then (אָז az) expresses the relationship between verse 3:23 and all that had been conveyed and promised about wisdom in verses 3:21-22. The Hebrew verb walk (הָלַךְ halak) expresses a life course that one will experience as a result of possessing the wisdom of God. The Hebrew noun securely (בֶּטַח betach) tells us that as compared to those ignoring or rejecting the wisdom of God, we will walk … securely. This is not saying that we will absolutely be free from danger or injury, but rather, Solomon is saying far more so than those who lack wisdom.

Your foot will not stumble: 3:23b is repeating the idea expressed in 3:23a, in that we will not stumble (נָגַף nagaph) in our walk with God if we possess and use our wisdom. The literal expression is “strike your foot.” (nagaph) The same expression is also found in Psa. 91:12, where it goes on to say, “against a stone.” To stumble means to trip or momentarily lose one’s balance because they have struck their foot on something unexpectedly; almost fall while walking. In other words, in our life course of figuratively walking with God, we will not stumble over the same life difficulties as the unbeliever, i.e., making a false moral step or doing wrong. If we are to walk with God, we should no longer walk as the unbelievers walk. We want to walk with God, as he will lead us in the way we should walk, as he is “the only wise God.” (Rom. 16:27) We need to talk and walk with God as we listen to his voice through Scripture, as to which way we should go. (Psa. 119:101; 2 Pet. 1:19) The life course of understanding, knowledge, wisdom, and thinking ability is a life of security. Even though we possess these attributes of God, even if it is in abundance, we will also suffer at times as well. However, we will not stumble over sinful wrongdoing, as is the case with the unbeliever.

If our Christian faith is our friend, it will be our traveling companion. Then, we will walk on your way securely. The real-life that God’s people must live through in this difficult time shall be under the protection of God’s divine intervention if it is according to his will and purposes. But God has not left us in a lurch. We have the wisdom of God that pours from his Word like Niagara Falls. If we correctly understand his Word and apply it rightly in our spiritual life and all our concerns, we are under the protection of the grace of God; so that our foot will not stumble. As we walk through life, Godly wisdom will direct our steps and keep us safe from anything that might stumble us. We can never let our hand down in our application of that Word. The way of understanding and applying his Word is the way to true peace and security.

[1] Lit strike your foot

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